Milja Brecher-Demuro, LCSW, LLC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator

Private Practice Psychotherapy for adults, Experiential Support Groups, Psychotherapy Groups & Intensive Retreats rooted in 20 years of Clinical Social Work experience

• About Milja
• Individual Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy Groups
• Testimonials
• Retreats
• Upcoming Retreats
• Contact

Photograph by:
Katherine Emery Photography - www.katherineemery.com

TESTIMONIALS

"I feel like I have a huge weight lifted and have felt revived and relieved since I literally BOUNCED and skipped out of your office that day.
I have a course of action and direction and it was also an excellent reminder of why I make the choices I make and why I am no longer willing to tolerate situations that don't align with my values. I am so glad you redirected me to remember my guiding lights exercise!!! I am super excited to begin working towards a way to actively help kids and parents in my own way!!! So our meeting accomplished exactly as it always does, a reminder, a reset, a realignment- you're like a brain chiropractor 🤣
But I also appreciate your encouragement, support and belief in me and my abilities and skill set, that coming from you means the world and absolutely bolsters my resolve to be exactly what I want to be❤️❤️❤️❤️" - Current Client 2023"The Fem Clutch is a safe place to find connection to other women and yourself!" - FEM CLUTCH Participant"It's been about 6 weeks since our final session, and I still feel way more connected than isolated. The reading, listening, learning, sharing, and leaning into and from each other left a mark on my heart, cracked me open some, and has me yearning for more.” - FEM CLUTCH Participant"Milja is a compassionate and skilled leader. She offers multiple tools for helping navigate the messiness of being human. Her ability to listen first, respond and encourage, and create meaningful conversation in an often superficial world is worth it's weight in gold.” - FEM CLUTCH Participant"My entire mindset {has shifted}. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. It has changed the way I see myself as well as the world as a whole." - FEM CLUTCH Participant“{I am} feeling more connected to the fabric of a community in a time/place/life stage that has been defined by isolation. Meeting this amazing group of women has given me a lot of courage to move through, push through, breathe through these days as I take them one by one.” - FEM CLUTCH Participant"Dedicating space in my life to really reflect on the pressure and expectations placed on me as a woman was important for me to learn what I accept and what I reject. It allowed me to take better control over how I allow outside influences affect me.” - FEM CLUTCH Participant"Milja is a wonderful facilitator. She always made me feel truly heard and valued. There's something about her presence that I find very calming and reassuring. When I found out that she's a runner, I was like, OH YES, that's the person I want running beside me at mile 23 of a marathon, literally and figuratively. Milja truly believes that all of us have the ability to do hard things, and I feel like she's a cheerleader in the best way -- holding space for everyone in the group to grapple with hard things but also holding folks accountable to keep moving through those struggles rather than getting mired in them."
"A year of pandemic made us realize our deep need for connection. Thank you Milja and the women of Femme Clutch for creating a safe and supportive space for growth and to begin to build back our community and our humanity." - FEM CLUTCH Participant"Milja has the amazing capacity to simultaneously hold space for each individual while making her feel part of the group at large. That is a rare gift indeed, and allows the individual as well as the group to grow and learn." - FEM CLUTCH Participant"I wanted to tell you how blown away I was by your presentation...you had me literally in tears. I was trying to jot down a couple of points you made because in just a few sentences you gave me insights into how I can be happier and less self critical. It was astonishing! Your passion and compassion are so evident and you expressed it with skill and grace. Really, Milja, you have such a gift and I am so grateful you are willing to share it with us. Thank you so much!" - 2021 Menopause Forum, Linda Robinson, RN, CNM"Milja is a fantastic therapist. She created a safe, welcome and open environment from our very first meeting. I was given the time and space I needed, and she is wonderful at providing perspective and questions for deeper thinking. The work that we did during my time with her was transformational and has set my life on a positive path. She provided real actions, habits and approaches that I still use every day. Choosing therapy was one of the hardest and best decisions of my life and I am so grateful for Milja" - Former client"My first retreat and more powerful than I was anticipating!”
- Retreat Participant"It is life changing”
- Retreat Participant"The intensive retreat with Milja was everything I could have hoped. It was a safe space to learn and grow with other like minded locals. From the beautiful setting in nature to the vulnerable conversations, the tools I learned from the Daring Greatly program are invaluable and I cannot wait for the next retreat!”
- Retreat Participant"Milja's knowledge and gentle guidance created an atmosphere to practice exposing shame, being vulnerable, and connecting with other women seeking deeper connections in their relationships.”
- Retreat Participant"The hands-down best thing I’ve done for my health in the past few years is see a therapist. When I first walked in Milja's office, I was a wreck - fainting spells, huge canker sores, paralyzing panic attacks, digestive issues, constantly on the verge of tears, overcome by dark thoughts. My body had NO IDEA how to process what my mind was enduring. It’s response was fight-or-flight...and I was losing. Working with my therapist saved my life. She helped me navigate out of a toxic situation and regain my self confidence. She helped me build a new path for myself, one that is more aware, forgiving, kind, and loving. I look back on who I was that first session and I’m unrecognizable. I still have anxious moments and my heart still races with fear when I’m faced with that toxic environment, but I can name it now, and I have tools to help my brain cope before my body revolts. So here’s to minds that are more aware, hearts that are more free, and therapists who help us find more light."
- Former Client

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UPCOMING RETREATS

RISING STRONG™ & THE DARING WAY™ INTENSIVES & RETREATS

- Clarify Core values
- Recognize Emotions & Increase Curiosity
- Improve Relationships
- Own Your Stories
- Increase Resiliency & Courage
- Cultivate Wholehearted Living
- Write Daring New Endings to Your Stories
- Practice Gratitude, Joy & AuthenticityRhythm of the retreat:
Over 18 hours together, we will watch and discuss videos of Brené Brown sharing her story and her research and then turn to each other and look inside ourselves to explore these constructs and our personal experiences. Through experiential exercises, journaling and sharing we will unfold our own stories, untangle our core limiting beliefs and shame, rediscover our worthiness and humanity and create a sense of deep belonging and courage.Retreat also includes:
• Nourishing dinner Friday, simple and healthy snacks and beverages Saturday and SundayCurrent Workshop Offering:When: Friday, January 26th - Sunday, January 28th, 2024.
Friday: 6-8:00pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm - 30 min to 1hr lunch on your own (group dependent)
Sunday: 9am-5pm - 30min - to 1 hr lunch on your own (group dependent)** Please note, this is a day retreat only and does not include overnight accommodations.Where: The Counseling Collaborative - 1489 State Highway 102 Bar Harbor, ME 04609Cost: Sliding Fee: $150-$500+ - Payments $400+ help cover the cost of a participant that is unable to pay the full fee.Your investment is for for 2 1/2 days of intimate, immersive exploration that can be life changing!1. $400++ - Pay it forward - I am paying for myself and helping support others. I have a comfortable life with discretionary income.2. $250-$399 - I have money in savings, and spend on my wants occasionally. To be able to attend this group I will need to prioritize it financially.
3. $150-$249 - I need support from the Community. My income is unstable. I can only attend this group with community Support.

• Register Here!

• INQUIRE HERE!

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Psychotherapy Groups

Group therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy where a small group of people meet together with the guidance of a trained therapist in order to explore, express and deepen their understandings of themselves and the challenges that they are facing. Group therapy is highly effective in improving well-being. The power of shared experience, common humanity, connection and group wisdom can be truly transformative and often can lead to more rapid positive change than individual therapy.Psychotherapy Groups can be intimidating! Sharing your truth, your experience, your heart can feel extremely vulnerable. Because it is! But in the sharing of our truth, our vulnerability, the stories and experiences of our hearts and pain, we truly learn we are not alone. We are not broken. We are part of a human family, a human experience. It is when we are truly seen and held and when we can truly hold compassion for others, that we can heal with true compassion for ourselves.

SLIDING FEE FOR GROUPS

The fee for this group is $25-$60+ per session.Insurance is not accepted for payment. Upon request, a Superbill can be provided to you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Submitting a Superbill to your insurance is not a guarantee of payment. It is best you check with your insurance provider and Out of Network Group Mental Health Therapy Coverage prior to participating in this group.Select which Fee category resonates with you. The payment you select is one that is a thoughtful investment in your well-being while being manageable for your budget. It may be a stretch (you're worth it!) but it does not make meeting your living expenses impossible. Payment will be due at time of service. If you want, you can pay for the full 8-12 weeks upfront. If your income doesn't allow for any of these fee options, please reach out to discuss options with me. 207-266-3244.1. $50++/session - Pay it forward - Consideration: I am paying for myself and helping support others. I have a comfortable life with discretionary income.2. $35-$49/session - Consideration: I have money in savings, and spend on my wants occasionally. To be able to attend this group I will need to prioritize it financially.3. $25-$34/session - Consideration: I need support from the Community. My income is unstable. I can only attend this group with community Support.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Free 30 Minute Initial ConsultationIn-person or Telehealth - Individual 55 min/session - $140In-person or Telehealth - Individual 85 min/session - $175In-person or Telehealth - Individual 30 min check-in (for established clients only) - $70Psychotherapy Groups - Sliding Scale - $25-$60+/ session
Click on the Psychotherapy Groups button to learn more about current groups or reach out to Milja directly to find out more. Generally these are closed, intimate groups for up to 6 people (minimum 4) - that will meet weekly for 8-12 weeks. Groups open for new members 3x/year - Fall, Winter, Spring.BILLING:Milja does not bill health insurances for services. For those with health insurance, Milja is considered an Out of Network Provider. Milja can provide a Superbill for services upon request. You can submit this statement of service to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider prior to starting therapy to see if your insurance has Out of Network benefits. You may only get reimbursed for part of your out of pocket payment, if any reimbursement is received at all. You can also check with your employer about the availability of a Health Savings Account (HSA) that you can possibly use to pay for mental health services.WHY MILJA DOES NOT ACCEPT INSURANCE:
- Accepting Insurance does not allow for complete confidentiality and privacy for clients (and Treatment Dictated by Insurance)
- For Insurance you have to have a diagnosis (aka assumption of illness)
- Your diagnosis can impact your insurance premiums and have other negative consequences as you the client
- The potential of fraud to be in service of clients
- Retroactive denial of claims
- Low rates and delayed payments
- BurnoutMilja accepts checks, cash, credit/debit cards for payment. Payment is due at time of service. Milja requires a credit card/debit card to be on file that will be charged after each session unless another form of payment is provided at time of service.At the first session, Milja will create with you a Good Faith Estimate - a contract with you confirming the fee for service, frequency of service and type of service in which you anticipate to participate and estimated annual costs for service.

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